Microsoft keeps Mac vs. PC battle going on Windows 7 website

[fpbecker]

Microsoft keeps Mac vs. PC battle going on Windows 7 website

Microsoft has added a PC versus Mac section to its Windows 7 website. The webpage is under the Compare tab, where users can match up the three main Windows 7 editions, read a Top 10 list of reasons to buy Windows 7, and now also have Microsoft point out where Windows 7 has the advantage over Mac OS X. According to the new page, Microsoft believes it has Apple beat in six categories: Having Fun (Macs might spoil your fun), Simplicity (Macs can take time to learn), Working Hard (Macs don't work as well at work or at school), Sharing (Macs don't like to share), Compatibility (Macs might not like your PC stuff), and Choice (Macs don't let you choose).

Each area makes a couple valid points, though Redmond makes sure to avoid naming any potential strengths Cupertino may have: this is strictly a pro-PC show. Each page ends off with a note to visit the Windows PC Scout to help the user find the right PC for them.

It's not surprising that Microsoft is playing up the PC vs. Mac comparisons given the "Get a Mac" campaign that ended a couple of months ago. Microsoft eventually responded directly to that campaign with the "I'm a PC" series of spots—an instant hit, at least in contrast to the Seinfeld and Gates ads. When Windows 7 came out the software giant changed course a bit with the I'm a PC and Windows 7 was my idea commercials.

It's worth noting that the Windows 7 webpage does not mention "I'm a PC" at all, but the distinction between Mac and PC that Apple first trumpeted is heavily emphasized. Microsoft seems perfectly happy to continue using the PC label if it means easily distinguishing itself from Apple's offerings.

Source: Ars Technica
Link: PC vs Mac on the Windows 7 website

 

[Rodimus Prime]

well I have to say turn about is fair play. Apple was pretty hard on MS with its "I am a PC, and I am a Mac" ads. Plus you have the reason to switch ads and so on. MS is hitting them back in the same fashion.

 

[kernkraft]

well I have to say turn about is fair play. Apple was pretty hard on MS with its "I am a PC, and I am a Mac" ads. Plus you have the reason to switch ads and so on. MS is hitting them back in the same fashion.

That campaign was so smug and hard on Microsoft! Actually, I heard that many people sympathised with the PC guy, as people felt that he was a genuine character, unreasonably attacked. It is not a good strategy to create an underdog. Anyway, I'm glad that those ads are over. They got tired in a season or so.

 

[dmr727]

I think it's a good thing. Apple could use a good smacking around, IMO.

 

[notjustjay]

The site raises a few good points. For example:

Giving presentations.
You'll have to buy a separate hardware dongle to plug your Mac into a standard VGA projector. Most PCs with Windows 7 hook up easily.

Yeah, c'mon Apple. Microsoft has a point there.

However, some of the points (I'd even say most of them) are stretching the truth, or intentionally overlooking points, often with one innocent little word thrown in to throw the balance into Microsoft's favour (e.g. the use of the word "securely" to suddenly make the point that you can't share your photos and music on a Mac).

Examples:

On a Mac, you have to manually set up photo sharing, manually set up music and movie sharing, manually set up file sharing, and manually set up printer sharing. It's easy to automatically and securely network with all the computers in your house when they're running Windows 7.
Uh, sure, you manually turn those on by clicking one checkbox for each. How exactly do you "automatically and securely network" in Windows 7? Is it easier than clicking one checkbox each?

Not to mention, in the real-world, with Bonjour, sometimes you don't even have to click anything at all. Maybe that's what Microsoft was referring to. But then... Macs have it too

With PCs running Windows 7, you can play the videos and music stored on your home PC while you're on the go, for free. Apple charges $99/year for its online service.
Neglecting the fact that there are free ways to do it on a Mac, too. To be fair, Apple does position their $99 online service as the preferred way, the ideal way, the best way...

Apple's productivity suite file formats won't open in Microsoft Office on PCs. This can be a real hassle for Mac users sharing work documents with PC users.
Conveniently forgetting to mention their very own product, Microsoft Office, is also available on a Mac...

The computer that's easiest to use is typically the one you already know how to use. While some may say Macs are easy, the reality is that they can come with a learning curve. PCs running Windows 7 look and work more like the computers you're familiar with, so you can get up and running quickly.
True, but making the assumption that the person reading the page is already familiar with a PC.

 

[djellison]

However, some of the points (I'd even say most of them) are stretching the truth, or intentionally overlooking points, often with one innocent little word thrown in to throw the balance into Microsoft's favour

Sounds like the definition of the I'm a Mac I'm a PC adverts, but in Apple's favor, obviously.

 

[notjustjay]

Sounds like the definition of the I'm a Mac I'm a PC adverts, but in Apple's favor, obviously.

True. The lesson learned is to always do your own research and comparisons, and take with a grain of salt any "comparisons" provided by one company or another.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Sounds like the definition of the I'm a Mac I'm a PC adverts, but in Apple's favor, obviously.

While some truth in that I always found that Apple's advertisements stretch the truth a lot farther.

 

[Melrose]

The site raises a few good points. For example:

Giving presentations.
You'll have to buy a separate hardware dongle to plug your Mac into a standard VGA projector. Most PCs with Windows 7 hook up easily.

Yeah, c'mon Apple. Microsoft has a point there.

In development meetings, I've given some presentations using the free dongle that Apple sent with my computer. Plus, using Fusion I was able to demo through the projector what bugs I found in current development on 7 or 8 different browsers/versions - on browsers running on Windows and Macintosh... bailing my boss out sticky situations because he only used a Dell.

Can't do that on Windows 7. For the cost of a dongle I'd rather be able to run two Operating Systems at the same time. I realize not everyone can do this, but the VGA point only carries so much validity.

 

[notjustjay]

I've given some presentations using the free dongle that Apple sent with my computer.

...

. I realize not everyone can do this, but the VGA point only carries so much validity.

I don't know what dongle you got, but I certainly didn't get an adaptor when I bought my (older) MacBook Pro, so I bought my own DVI to VGA adaptors. My brother just got a MBP and he needed to buy a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adaptor too, and I know I've been in a situation or two when someone with a Mac has said "I've got the files, just let me hook up to the projector" and I'll ask "OK, do you have the adaptor you need to connect to VGA?" and they say "Adaptor? Uh... *blank look*" (either that or "Adaptor? Oh crap, I didn't bring it...")

Apple could save us a lot of headache by simply bundling one with the purchase. Why create hassle and competitor talking points over a couple of bucks?

 

[belvdr]

I don't know what dongle you got

And they don't come with the new models either. Looking at the tech specs page for the MBP, all adapters are options (read purchased).

 

[milbournosphere]

I don't know what dongle you got, but I certainly didn't get an adaptor when I bought my (older) MacBook Pro[.]

Define older. When I bought my first gen MBP (Core Duo, 2.16ghz), it came with a VGA adapter, as well as a remote and other extras. When my girl bought her Macbook a couple of months ago, it came with no adapters, and no remote. I think this is a sad development, but one that has been in the works for a while. I saw the same thing happen with the iPod line. My 4th gen iPod came with a power adapter that used a firewire cable, in addition to a USB cable. When that died, I bought a 5th gen iPod, and was sad to see no power adapter included. Apple, bring back the in-box accessories!

 

[notjustjay]

Define older. When I bought my first gen MBP (Core Duo, 2.16ghz), it came with a VGA adapter, as well as a remote and other extras. When my girl bought her Macbook a couple of months ago, it came with no adapters, and no remote. I think this is a sad development, but one that has been in the works for a while. I saw the same thing happen with the iPod line. My 4th gen iPod came with a power adapter that used a firewire cable, in addition to a USB cable. When that died, I bought a 5th gen iPod, and was sad to see no power adapter included. Apple, bring back the in-box accessories!

My MBP is a 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo, I believe "Santa Rosa". It came with the remote, but no adaptors. The next rev of the MBP after that stopped including the remote too.

And I remember the same about the iPods. My first iPod was a third-gen, and I remember it coming with the charging adaptor, a dock, Firewire cable, a slip case, a headphone remote... it was the complete set. However, the thing cost $549 (Cdn).

 

[Melrose]

Define older. When I bought my first gen MBP (Core Duo, 2.16ghz), it came with a VGA adapter, as well as a remote and other extras. When my girl bought her Macbook a couple of months ago, it came with no adapters, and no remote. I think this is a sad development, but one that has been in the works for a while. I saw the same thing happen with the iPod line. My 4th gen iPod came with a power adapter that used a firewire cable, in addition to a USB cable. When that died, I bought a 5th gen iPod, and was sad to see no power adapter included. Apple, bring back the in-box accessories!

I don't know what dongle you got, but I certainly didn't get an adaptor when I bought my (older) MacBook Pro, so I bought my own DVI to VGA adaptors. My brother just got a MBP and he needed to buy a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adaptor too, and I know I've been in a situation or two when someone with a Mac has said "I've got the files, just let me hook up to the projector" and I'll ask "OK, do you have the adaptor you need to connect to VGA?" and they say "Adaptor? Uh... *blank look*" (either that or "Adaptor? Oh crap, I didn't bring it...")

Apple could save us a lot of headache by simply bundling one with the purchase. Why create hassle and competitor talking points over a couple of bucks?

I agree... I don't like to see this. I mean, I realize that a lot of people already have what they need when it comes to that, but it's a sad turn of events. The remote should be standard, at the very least.

 

[Bonch]

My question is why do they use a woman in the ad that is clearly constipated. You can see it in her face.

 

[djellison]

While some truth in that I always found that Apple's advertisements stretch the truth a lot farther.

I would agree. Apple's adverts were at times misleading, at others, outright lies.

 

[kernkraft]

I would agree. Apple's adverts were at times misleading, at others, outright lies.

What about "Magical and revolutionary"? Surely, that must be true. I mean, the iPad is not like a larger iPod Touch with the same RAM and marginally higher clock speed, is it?

 

[maflynn]

As others have posted, turn about is fair play and just because apple dropped the I'm a PC/I'm a Mac marketing, doesn't mean the competition is over.

 

[notjustjay]

What about "Magical and revolutionary"? Surely, that must be true. I mean, the iPad is not like a larger iPod Touch with the same RAM and marginally higher clock speed, is it?

Ssssh! Magicians don't give away their secrets!

 

[Peace]

The basic gist of this is since you already use Windows it's easier.

Here's a good part :

Unlike Macs, many PCs running Windows 7 support Touch, so you can browse online newspapers, flick through photo albums, and shuffle files and folders—using nothing but your fingers. PCs with a fingerprint reader even let you log in with just a swipe of your finger.

It sounds to me like MS is trying to KEEP customers rather than convert Mac users.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

The basic gist of this is since you already use Windows it's easier.

Here's a good part :

Unlike Macs, many PCs running Windows 7 support Touch, so you can browse online newspapers, flick through photo albums, and shuffle files and folders—using nothing but your fingers. PCs with a fingerprint reader even let you log in with just a swipe of your finger.

It sounds to me like MS is trying to KEEP customers rather than convert Mac users.

Only way I could think that would work is no apple computer has a touch screen on it. There are quite a few windows computers out there that have a touch screen.

 

[Peace]

Only way I could think that would work is no apple computer has a touch screen on it. There are quite a few windows computers out there that have a touch screen.

Very true. The Magic Mouse/Magic Pad are a lot cheaper than the HP Touch though. And more ergonomic.

 

[PerfSeeker]

Everything in the MSFT ad was a blatant lie!

 

[belvdr]

Everything in the MSFT ad was a blatant lie!

I'm failing to see how everything was a lie.

 

[PerfSeeker]

I'm failing to see how everything was a lie.

Like Mac's not having PVR software. BS!